Houses of Parliament

What a great idea, Absent. I remember a news story about a town where all the town centre traffic lights failed and they brough in police officers to direct the traffic. There was chaos. Then they withdrew the officers and left motorists to sort it out for themselves. The traffic began to move smoothly again. Almost every move the governmnent makes harms somebody.

There's no doubt that if you were designing a place for Parliament to meet now, you wouldn't end up with the Palace of Westminster. It is a fantastic building, though and the inside even more so with everything designed in the same style by Pugin. Have you actually been inside, absent? I'd post a Gothic emoticon if there were one!

Let us hope that if they do decide to build a new one, it doesn't cost as much as the Scottish Parliament building.

Re the broken traffic lights thing - here in Oz drivers just revert to the 'give way right' rule at an uncontrolled junction.

I'd just leave the MPs in the old building. As it crumbles around them they might get some insight into how their policies affect folks' lives.

Lilygran I am not keen on mediaeval gothic, let alone its Victorian reincarnation. I think Pugin should have been exposed on a mountainside or drowned at birth. But chacun a son goût. There's no chance of the palace being blown up (official demolition, not Guy Fawkes style) as it's listed. However, a new purpose-built home for parliament, preferably without the confrontational benches and with adequate office space, would surely cost less. Then the old one could be turned into a hotel or something.

Museum? On democracy?

Is that ironic Lilygran?

absent you are just trying to shock aren't you?

Could you really advocate doing away with so much history? ( to replace it with something like the gherkin?)

[horror]

I'm sorry. I would have to say "don't be silly".

JO4 The present Palace of Westminster doesn't have that much history (less than 200 years most of it) and I think the architecture is horrible. Maybe it will just sink into the Thames. I never suggested something like the gherkin as a replacement.

I read somewhere that Prince Charles has indicated that when/if he accedes he'll abandon Buck House and it can become the "official residence" where visiting heads of state can be put up and official knees up arranged without him and C actually having to live over the shop. I think the idea of a hotel/ museum for the Palace of Westminster might get some support but it wouldn't save any money.

I've found this fantastic little video all about it. potted history

I don't believe it was ever burnt completely to the ground. Bet there's some old bits.

Buck House is another place that isn't fit for purpose. I can't say I blame the PoW for not wanting to live in it. I think he and Mrs Wales should move to Poundbury or whatever it is called.

Don't wish that on them! Have you seen Poundbury?

I must confess that I love the Palace of Westminster, warts and all. I have very fond memories of seeing it from across the river when nearing the end of the London Moonwalk a few years ago. It was around 5am on a beautiful June morning, the sun was rising and the whole building was shining golden across the Thames. It was uplifting at a much needed time

Only in pictures – but he wished it on people and the region, so why shouldn't he have to live there?

That's jolly Jings although I would point out that only some women got the vote in 1918. I think apart from Westminster Hall, three or four other bits were saved from the 1834 fire (St Stephen's cloisters?). But most of the present palace dates from 1840–1870.

nightowl It looks quite nice in Monet's paintings too but close up and without mist it's horrid.

I think Parliament should move, lock, stock and civil servants, to say Manchester or Birmingham or even Newcastle. It'd help cure the north south divide.

NfkDumpling That's about a likely as getting an English Parliament/Assembly.

I know, but there is slowly growing pressure for an English Assembly. It may happen if we ever get a proper English PM!

When I lived in Dorset, Poundbury was called Siena-upon-Piddle.

I wonder if MPs would be as happy to move to Salford as the BBC staff are?

Oh my word! Philistines!!!!!!!!!! The H of P is a London icon. When I arrive back in London it is what I look for in the distance when crossing over Waterloo Bridge. Do we really want a building like the Scottish Parliament or the Welsh Assembly - and even BJ's 'home'. They won't last as long as the H of P has! It's history for goodness' sake - and the bonging of Big Ben is one of the sounds of London.

Point taken about Poundbury absent.

We went there once for a quick look round (it was quick!). It was dead! There was no one walking around in the streets. Just a big housing estate really.